Consider these chairs. They are not just any chairs. These are Comfort Stops. They sit here on Waiheke Island. They offer a place to pause. Let’s explore the story behind these unique sculptures.
Comfort Stops is the creation of Peter Lange. He is a leading figure in the New Zealand ceramics scene. Peter Lange is known for his engaging approach. He uses brick terracotta concrete and mosaic in his work.
These Comfort Stops resemble cafe chairs. Their design includes a swoop. This was inspired by the SuperGold discount card. This card is issued to senior citizens. The Comfort Stops rest on the edge of Alison Park. They overlook the park’s vastness.
Peter Lange has been working as a ceramicist and sculptor for over 40 years. In 1975 he joined the Auckland Studio Potters. He taught and mentored students there. For his work with the Auckland Studio Potters Lange received the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2016.
Lange is known for his brick sculptures. Though not overly large they are heavy. His studio is at the Corban Estate Arts Centre in Auckland. He has created a number of outdoor sculptures around Auckland.
‘Tokens from the Game’ invites interaction. People can clamber over it. They can sit on it. ‘Brick Wave’ ‘Comfort Stops’ and ‘Chaise Lange’ offer functional seating. They are designed to provoke thought. ‘Camp Site’ at the Auckland Botanic Gardens attracts children.
In 2002 Peter Lange launched ‘Brick Boat’. It was an 18-foot collaboration with Jeff Thomson. Lange built a brick hull. Thomson added rigging from pipes and corrugated iron. The boat sailed briefly. Water seeped through the bricks.
Lange has turned kiwi icons into sculptures. These include a lilo a kete and deckchairs. Some are in private collections. Others can be viewed in sculpture gardens.
Comfort Stops was first shown at the 2011 headland Sculpture on the Gulf festival. Later the Waiheke Local Board bought the chairs. They were added to the Alison Park sculpture trail. So the Comfort Stops you see before you provide more than a resting place. They offer a glimpse into the creative mind of Peter Lange. They showcase his unique approach to art.